Soon it will enter its next era, revamped with respect paid to its roots. The project, a shared economic development initiative between the Museum and the City of Joliet, has been supported with regional and statewide grant funding facilitated by Heritage Corridor Destinations Route 66 Grant Program and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
Perhaps most importantly, the museum said, the restoration effort also has been supported by International Dairy Queen, which has advised the project by supplying museum staff with historical and archival documentation.
“While we have modernized and grown to more than 7,900 DQ restaurants in over 20 countries serving hot food and treats, it’s important to remember the legacy of the Dairy Queen brand,” said Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen. “We’re humbled that Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet are recognizing the Dairy Queen brand in this way.”
Historical support from IDQ has enabled the museum’s curatorial staff to ensure accurate reproductions of period neon signs, exterior signage and murals, as well as lighting fixtures. The museum already has embarked on Phase Two of the project, which will include a full architectural and engineering assessment of the building to determine its potential future uses.
In the meantime, the building façade is anticipated to function as a highly popular “selfie stop” among Route 66 visitors from around the world traversing the Joliet region for the 2026 Centennial.